Standards for Installing Mailboxes on County Roads
Roadside mailboxes need to be strong to stand up to the elements, convenient for the mail carrier to reach
inside, and installed to ensure safety for passersby. Please follow the guidelines below to make sure your
mailbox meets these requirements.
Ward County requires that mailboxes and newspaper delivery boxes located within the right-of-way to be
constructed and installed in a manner that does not substantially interfere with the safety of the traveling public
and the operation and maintenance of the County road system. A mailbox installation that does not conform to
the provisions of this policy will be considered a safety hazard. Any violation could result in a written order
requiring the owner to remove the safety hazard. If the safety hazard is not removed, Ward County will remove
the hazard and bill the owner under North Dakota Centry Code 24-06-29
Mailbox Standards
Mailbox: Mailboxes should have a Postmaster General’s seal of approval, shall be constructed from sheet
metal, plastic, or similar weight materials and shall not exceed 11 lbs.
Height: Mailboxes are typically installed with the bottom of the mailbox located 41 to 45 inches above the
roadway surface. Refer to your local post office regulations for specific mailbox height requirements.
Number of Mailboxes on One Post: No more than two mailboxes may be mounted on one support post, unless
the support post and mailbox arrangement meets the American Association of State Highway and
Transportation Officials (AASHTO) standards or ND DOT standards.
Eliminating Fixed Objects on Roadside: Ward County standards ensure that the roadside remains free of fixed
objects that can be dangerous to travelers, and prohibits planting or construction of any object along a roadway
that will visually obstruct the view necessary for safe operation of motor vehicles on the road. In general, nonbreakaway objects should be located 12 - 18 feet from the edge of the travel lane for a road posted at 55 mph
or under, and 20-34 feet for roads over 55 mph. A mailbox should be located to ensure that a vehicle stopped at
a mailbox doesn’t interfer with the adjacent travel lane (exceptions may be made for very low-volume, lowspeed, or local roads). Careful consideration should be given to determine the location of the mailbox to ensure
the mailbox doesn’t unobstruct the view of vehicles pulling out of a driveway and onto the roadway.
Support System: The mailbox support system should be anchored no more than 24 inches into the ground, as
shown in figure b and should bend or fall away if a car hits the support system. The Federal Highway
Administration recommends a 4" x 4" wooden support or light gauge pipe that is 2-inches in diameter or less.
Urban Areas: Mailboxes that are located in urban areas should be installed in such a way so the front of the
mailbox is set back from the face of the curb 6 to 12 inches.
Examples
Approved: Mailboxes supported by 4”x 4” wood post and/or light gauge pipe that is 2-inches in diameter or
less.
Prohibited: Mailboxes supported by structures such as non-breakaway masonry columns, railroad ties, tractor
wheels, plow blades, concrete barrels, and any other non-breakaway style support system.